Chess Puzzle #1tABw — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rooks b4/c1; pawns b5/c4/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a3; rooks d5/f8; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxd5 — pawn c4→d5, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen a3→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qe1 (queen e4→e1).
3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen c1→e1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p4ppp/1p2p3/1P1r4/1RPPQ3/q7/5PPP/2R3K1 w - - 1 27

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